Advocate throws shoe at CJI | It is an attack on the Constitution, on the idea of India itself: Prithviraj Chavan

Condemning the incident, B G Kolse-Patil, retired judge of the Bombay High Court said the attack on the Chief Justice of India is an attack on the Constitution of India. ”It is an attack aimed at insulting the Constitution of India. It is an attack to pressurise the Chief Justice of India to not give any decision against the central government. The attacks show the growing religious fanaticism in the country, especially after 2014,” Kolse-Patil told the Indian Express.

Kolse-Patil added, ”In the name of Sanatan, the attack was carried out against CJI who is 100 per cent Ambedkarvadi. It seems to be a calculated and well-planned attack to prevent CJI Gavai from making any revolutionary decisions. These fanatic elements are trying to put all constitutional institutions under pressure. What message will it send out to the world? Indians attacking their own CJI in the name of religion? This attack is also an attack on the image and prestige of India which was known for years for its tolerance.”

Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, ”I strongly condemn and deplore the attack on the Chief Justice of India outside the Supreme Court. It shows to what length communal forces can go to spread their hate. It is an attack on the Constitution, an attack on the idea of India itself. The government must go after the organisations sponsoring this intolerance.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, ”The attack on CJI Bhushan Gavai is a direct attack on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and our Constitution. The attacker is a fanatic Hindu. He is a product of BJP’s training school.”

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said, “The attack on CJI Bhushan Gavai is shocking and equally worrying. It seems to be an attempt to put pressure on the judicial system. This is certainly not in the interest of a robust democracy. I want to request the central government to take stern action against the attacker. The central government should take all steps to ensure that the dignity of our judicial system, our judges and the Chief Justice of India is protected.”

MPCC spokesperson Harshvardhan Sapkal said,”The attack on CJI Bhushan Gavai is not an attack on an individual but it is an attack on the basic values of Indian democracy. Those spreading hatred in the name of sanatan have now entered the judicial temple. This is not a warning bell but a direct attack on the Constitution, Social Justice and Equality. Those who stand for the Constitution and those who try to protect the Constitution are being attacked. This country belongs to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, justice and equality. It does not belong to anyone’s ego of caste and religion. Such attacks will not deter us, we will not backtrack.”

Human rights advocate Asim Sarode said, ”The shoe attack on CJI Bhushan Gavai is highly condemnable. The growing intolerance, religious intolerance and casteist-mindset should worry each and every India…The advocate who threw shoes raised slogans in favour of Sanatan Dharma and he said he will not tolerate anything said against his religion. This only shows arrogance and goondaism. Be it educated or uneducated, they all seem to have been inculcated with the doctrine of religious fanaticism. Blame it on today’s politics. Political leaders are making all kinds of wild statements. Even on the cricket field, we find intolerance is growing. This is dangerous There is a feeling among some people that if they resort to violence, they believe that they have done a great job.”

Sarode added, ”This behaviour of certain elements has thrown up several questions before the judicial system. Some people do not seem to want an independent judiciary. They seem to oppose those who do not give decisions in their favour…India does not want religious fanaticism. As Indians we should all rise against those who are challenging our democracy and our free independent judiciary.”